Urgent valve adjustment question

[booger]

'06 S2R800 6650 miles

OK- while I was in there today I wiggled the valve stems and it seems that they all have a little bit of wiggly going on. Now I'm scared. How much axial play should they have? Bike ran fine, didn't use oil, valve stems and seals look good, however at the horizontal exhaust there was some sludge that collected up against the valve cover and this sludge seemingly consisted of a bronze particulate matter. Had some trailer-hitching at lower rpms but pulled like a train above 4500. Bike's had it's oil changed three times in 6650 miles. Whether or not the guides are toast I'm going to finish the valve adjustment(only have to buy 1 closer), reset TPS, throttle sync, VDST fuel trim it and rock on. What do you guys think?

[Dietrich]

My GT1000 has had sloppy loose valves for at least the last 15,000 miles (over 38,000 on it now).  I keep the valves adjusted and everything else in tune, and it runs strong.  Doesn't smoke, doesn't use a lick of oil, starts fine, etc.  I've done multi day trips, a night at the drag strip, two track days, and general floggin around town and day rides.  Many Sport Classic valve guides were replaced under warranty for premature wear.  I'm out of warranty.   I really want to blueprint a set of heads, but living in AZ just don't want to bike off the road long enough to pull the heads and get the valve work done.  Plus I want to upgrade if going through that trouble. 

I say just keep things adjusted, ride it, and keep an eye on things.

[ducpainter]

A Duc will run fine for a long time with 'loose' guides

[booger]

I am comforted by these comments. Anyone else want to chime in?

[He Man]

A Duc will run fine for a long time with 'loose' guides

+1 i ran mine for a few thousand miles with loose guides. and they were probably loose for a few thousand more before i found out. Gas mileage improved a bit when they were replaced though.

[booger]

Well I finally got the bike put back together today and boy are my fingers tired and sore. Must have sanded for hours. No more trailer hitching before 4k but bike seems different somehow. Maybe pulls less hard? Can't tell. Need more saddle time. Been off the bike for two weeks now. I've missed it! I do know this- a 10" length of 3/8" wooden dowel to wedge the closer rocker down and another piece of hardwood as a closer rocker depressor were essential to do this job.
Tomorrow I'll reset the TPS, sync the throttle bodies and do some fuel/idle trim. Wash it down well and then I'll be ready.

[EEL]

Actually it isnt, use an 8mm allen next time. Wedge the short end of the allen in to keep the rocker arm depressed. I use that trick every time on my S2R 800. Also, EMS Duc produces a closer rocker arm pusher downer do-hicky. Well worth the 25ish bucks if you plan on doing this work on your own from now on.

[uclabiker06]

I had the same concern w/ my valves on my s2r8.  I would say as long as your not burning oil you should be okay.  Ca Cycleworks is AWESOME.  Chris really knows his stuff and will tell you the real deal.  But as far as the valve stems go how do you know that the one valve wiggles more than the others?  Maybe your just being paranoid like me when I did my valves.  I wouldn't worry about it.

Also I felt like my bike had less low end pull when my valves were adjusted.  But I also felt like the power was spread out more evenly over the power band and definitely more power towards the high end.  Felt like the engine was working less but had more power....hard to explain but it feels GOOD; like when i first got the bike.